NSW Waratahs U18 v Queensland Reds 2023: Rock stars gone but coach excited to see new guns

It’s minus the ‘rock star’ names of years gone by but the Waratahs U18s have a game plan to take down the Queensland Reds and players their coach can’t wait to see in action.

Hwi Sharples, right, has been named to captain the Waratahs I side.

There are no big name stars of the ilk of last year’s head turner Max Jorgensen in the side but Waratahs U18s coach Michael Snowden is more than happy with the players he has to take on the Queensland Reds on Saturday.

Snowden believes his team has gelled well after a training camp in Sydney ahead of Saturday’s flight to Queensland for the annual clash with the Reds U18s Academy side.

“We don’t have any massive rock stars like Max Jorgensen,” Snowden said.

“But we have a good size forward pack, better ball movement this year and they are all very enthusiastic.

“It’s about doing the simple things right. It’s about doing the basics well and then one or two of the kids doing something outstanding that wins the game.

Joe Walsh [playing in a Sevens event last year.

“There’s no need to be fancy. It’s doing the skills under pressure.”

Hwi Sharples has been named to captain the Waratahs I side in the 2.30pm match on Saturday. The NSW II’s side plays at 1pm..

“He’s a really talented kid. He’s calm and composed,’’ Snowden said. “He never gets rattled. He is very consistent.’’

Snowden said there are a number of players he is keen to see playing under pressure in the clash.

“We have Boston (Fakafanua) who has been very impressive and our No. 10 Joe Walsh is very talented,’’ he said.

“He’s (Walsh) the only one from the 16s program in the Waratahs I side and I’m very excited to see him play.

“Eden Akanayake is another one I’m excited to see.

“He’s athletic beyond belief. He’s come from the Sydney (Juniors) group and he’s so mature and has played first Colts. He has real X-Factor’’

Max Jorgensen was one of the stars of the U18s last year.

Snowden said he knows little about the teens who will line up for Queensland.

“We’ll just concentrate on ourselves, our game,’’ he said.

The Waratahs I and II sides won both their matches by big margins last year in Queensland – something Snowden thinks is unlikely to happen again.

“I’d be very surprised if we can go up there and do it twice in a row,’’ he said.

NSW Waratahs U18s SQUAD

Forwards: Adam VanWyk Aden Ekanayake Austin Durbridge Baily Park Beau Morrison Daniel Meafou Edwin Langi Jacob Veiru Joe Mangelsdorf John Ryan Kaleb Ah-Colt

Lachlan Doheny Lipina Ata Marshall Le Maitre Nathaniel Tiitii Ned Ericsson Nick Ashdown

Sam Niulala Toby Brial Will Goddard Will Guilfore Will McKinnon

Backs: Boston Fakafanua Brendan Palmer Charlie Poynton Hadley Tonga Hamish McDonald Hwi Sharples Joe Dillion Joe Walsh Liam Grover Malakye Enasio Orly Hatten-Ward Sam Blank Sidney Harvey Tom Klem Tom Watts Tyrese Lokeni Wihan Kruger

Staff: Michael Snowden Andrew Brownhill Angus Sinclair Matt Hopkins

NSW WARATAHS U18S V QUEENSLAND REDS U18S

Queensland Reds U18 Grey v Waratahs U18 White, 1pm, Ballymore

Queensland Reds U18 v Waratahs U18, 2:30pm, Ballymore